A goal of mine was to re-shoot the Cedar Plantation, or Parallel Forest. I had last visited the area in January 2014 and returned in March 2022. Fortunately, and, not unexpectedly, nothing had changed. The forest was maybe a bit rattier with undergrowth, but still a fascinating place and a MUST visit on the trip.
The plantation is located off a pullout on Meers Road, just a few bends down from the restaurant. It is directly opposite a rugged mountain range; the sky is open and clear. This trip, there were a few other people out for a visit, but they seemed to go their own way; once you enter the forest, it’s almost like people dissolve into the trees. Rumor has it the forest is haunted. I never felt any kind of sinister or supernatural presence, but it’s still a unique place.
My 2014 photos were marked — not to say marred — by an unusual fuzziness. Almost no image from the plantation came out crisp and clear. I laid this off to any number of factors, including photographer error. When shooting inside the Parallel Forest, you are having to work with extreme shifts in light and shade. I know from shooting in similar areas in Arkansas that you have to find just the right balance in ISO and aperture settings to photo in deep woods. This time I came prepared.
This year’s photos turned out much better. Maybe it helped having been there before and knowing what angles or views didn’t work out so well the last time. Experience is always a plus. See Richard’s report here (link).
Open Aperture 